RICH: THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS AS THE SUPREME COURT ISSUES A FAR-REACHING DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF A RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THE DECISION AS YOU MENTIONED WAS A 4-4 TIE, SO THE ANTICIPATION THAT THIS WOULD SET A NATIONAL PRECEDENT WAS, WAS BROKEN.

RICH: AS SUMMER BREAK BEGINS, WILL OKLAHOMA KIDS STAY BUSY WITH A PART-TIME SUMMER JOB?

>> I WITHOUT SAY IT'S HARD.

YOU YOU CAN GET A JOB.

RICH: THE LEGISLATURE ALLOCATES BIG BUCKS FOR A HOSPITAL, HIGHER ED AND A PRISON.

>> I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT JUST NATURALLY HAVE AN AVERSIONS TO HAVING PRIVATELY-OWNED PRISONS, AND THAT'S FAIR.

RICH: AN INDEPTH DISCUSSION WITH HOUSE SPEAKER KYLE HILBERT ON STATE PETITION LEGISLATION.

>> VOTERS HAVE CONFIDENCE.

RICH: THOSE STORIES, PLUS, BROTHERLY LOVE AS LIONS CUBS CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY AT THE OKC ZOO.

NEXT, ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

RICH: HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ.

THE SUMMER BREAK HAS BEGUN FOR THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMA STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN OUR TWO LARGEST DISTRICTS.

OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

THEIR FINAL DAY WAS THURSDAY, OTHER LARGE DISTRICTS LIKE EDMOND, MOORE, NORMAN, JENKS, BROKEN ARROW, UNION AND OTHERS ALSO WRAPPED UP THE SCHOOL YEAR THIS WEEK.

ALSO ON THURSDAY, A MUCH-ANTICIPATED RULING BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THAT EFFECTIVELY BLOCKS THE CREATION OF THE ST. ISADORE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

IN A 4-4 TIE, WITH JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT ABSTAINING, THE COURT BASICALLY SENT THE CASE BACK TO THE OKLAHOMA STATE SUPREME COURT, WHICH HAS ALREADY RULED AGAINST THE SCHOOL.

IT'S AN OUTCOME THAT OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL, GENTNER DRUMMOND, WHO WAS NAMED IN THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT, APPLAUDED, SAYING IN PART.

THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION REPRESENTS A RESOUNDING VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE GUIDED OUR NATION SINCE ITS FOUNDING.

THIS RULING ENSURES THAT OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS WILL NOT BE FORCED TO FUND RADICAL ISLAMIC SCHOOLS, WHILE PROTECTING THE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS OF FAMILIES TO CHOOSE ANY SCHOOL THEY WISH FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

IN A SHARED STATEMENT, ARCHBISHOP PAUL COAKLEY OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND BISHOP DAVID KONDERLA OF TULSA SAID IN PART.

FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA DESERVE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL SCHOOL.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE OKLAHOMA STATE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION WAS UPHELD IN A 4-4 DECISION WITHOUT EXPLANATION.

WE REMAIN FIRM IN OUR COMMITMENT TO OFFERING AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATION TO FAMILIES AND STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE REACTION TO THE COURT'S RULING COMING UP LATER WITH QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY, BUT FIRST, EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON'S MONTHLY MEETING OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

TAELYR?

REPORTER: RICH, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD A BUSY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON STARTING OUT AT A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN LED RALLY BEFORE ATTENDING THE OSBE MEETING.

SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTER ADDRESSED SUPPORTERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

DURING HIS SPEECH WALTERS EMPHASIZED A NEED FOR TRUE CONSERVATISM IN OKLAHOMA AND CALLED FOR THE ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES.

>> I'M GONNA TELL YOU THERE'S NO BETTER EXAMPLE OF THEFT THAN PROPERTY TAXES.

SO LEMME JUST WALK YOU THROUGH THAT.

SO WHEN YOU BUY A TV, DOES WALMART COME BACK EVERY YEAR AN TAX YOU EVERY FOOTBALL SEASON WHEN YOU TURN ON WHEN YOU TURN ON THE FOOTBALL, ON THE TV.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

REPORTER: THE SUPERINTENDENT THEN HEADED ACROSS THE CAPITOL COMPLEX TO THE OLIVER HODGE BUILDING FOR THE MONTHLY OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.

THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, A ROUTINE AGENDA ITEM, APPROVAL OF MINUTES CAUSED A LENGTHY DISCUSSION.

>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO THE DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF THE MINUTES.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL OF THESE LINED UP FOLKS, SO I'LL FLIP HERE IN MY BOOK.

BUT WE'VE GOT JANUARY 28, FEBRUARY 27, APRIL 24.

I KNOW THAT SOME ADDITIONS WERE MADE TO THOSE.

REPORTER: THE BOARD ONCE AGAIN DID NOT APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MULTIPLE PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

BOARD MEMBER RYAN DETHERIDGE QUESTIONED THE ACCURACY OF THE MINUTES.

>> WERE THE CORRECTIONS MADE?

I HAVEN'T FOUND THE CORRECTIONS IN HERE.

THE REQUEST WAS MADE IN THE LAST MEETING TO BE CORRECTED.

WERE THEY REFLECTED IN THIS?

REPORTER: THE MINUTES GIVEN TO BOARD MEMBERS REFLECTED THAT DETHRIDGE VOTED TO PASS THE SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

HOWEVER, DETHRIDGE WAS THE ONLY NO VOTE ON THE MATTER.

>> WE VOTED TO AMEND THESE LAST TIME, SO I WOULD THAT STILL STAND, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S NOT IN HERE.

>> I BELIEVE WE TABLED THEM LAST TIME.

>> WE TABLED THEM WITH THE IDEA THAT SHE WAS GONNA CORRECT 'EM.

AND THEN I THOUGHT MAYBE.

REPORTER: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AMY LONDON EXPLAINED TO THE BOARD WHY THE AMENDED MINUTES WERE NOT IN THEIR MEETING HANDOUTS.

>> I AMENDED THE MINUTES AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS PUTTING THE BOARD PACKET TOGETHER IN YOUR NOTEBOOKS TO SAVE COSTS AND NOT HAVE THOSE REPRINTED, I'VE MOVED THOSE MINUTES AND THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T SHOW THEM EDITED IN YOUR PACKET TODAY.

REPORTER: CONCLUSIVELY THE BOARD VOTED TO TABLE THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

A SENATE COMMITTEE RECENTLY APPROVED 3 OF GOVERNOR STITT'S RECENT NOMINEES MICHEAL TINNEY, RYAN DEATHRIGDE AND BECKY CARSON DESPITE ONE SENATOR'S REFUSAL TO CARRY TINNEY'S NOMINATION.

ONE PUBLIC COMMENTER WAS PLEASED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S CHOICES.

>> I AM A PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENT AND I WANT TO THANK OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR BEING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR THIS BOARD.

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU'RE ALL HERE TO REPRESENT OKLAHOMANS INSTEAD OF BEING YES MEN.

AND THANKS TO YOU, OKLAHOMANS ARE FINALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THIS BOARD MIGHT ACCOMPLISH.

REPORTER: NEWLY-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER AND FORMER EDUCATOR BECKY CARSON WAS VOCAL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON REGARDING THE STATE'S LARGE NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS.

>> THE FACT THAT WE HAVE 49, SORRY, 4,500 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATES IN THE STATE YEAR TO DATE, EVEN THOUGH I KNEW IT WOULD BE DURING A CRISIS, IT KIND OF SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

AND SO I HAVE A, IN SAYING THAT, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT, NOT PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS, BUT JUST IN GENERAL, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENSURE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ON THIS LIST AND PREVIOUS LIST, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOW OFFERING THEM BONUSES TO COME TO THIS STATE.

SIR, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE NOT JUST HERE FOR THE, FOR THE QUICK, FOR THE QUICK BONUS?

REPORTER: MORE THAN 600 EMERGENCY TEACHER CERTIFICATIONS WERE APPROVED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

>> SO ALL OF OUR GRANT, ALL OF OUR SIGNING BONUSES HAVE ALL HAD A REQUIREMENT OF YEARS TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

FRANKLY, WE'VE ALWAYS DONE NO LESS THAN THREE BECAUSE A LOT OF THE DATA SHOWS AFTER YEAR THREE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO FIVE YEAR FIVE, THE RETENTION RATE DRAMATICALLY INCREASES.

SO THAT WAS KIND OF THE DATA POINTS THERE FOR THREE AND FIVE YEARS BEING THAT TIED WITH THE BUT I DO AGREE WITH YOU, YOU'VE GOTTA CONTINUE TO, TO ATTACH LONGEVITY TO IT OR ELSE PROGRAMS LIKE THAT COULD BE USED IN A WAY THAT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY RETAIN 'EM.

REPORTER: THE NEXT STATE BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 26 AT 9:30AM.

RICH?

RICH: WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IT WAS A GIVEN THAT WHEN SCHOOL GOT OUT, YOU'D GET A SUMMER JOB, BUT THAT ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE ANYMORE.

IN FACT, NATIONWIDE, THE NUMBER OF KIDS WHO WORK DURING THEIR SUMMER BREAK, HAS BEEN STEADILY DECREASING.

IS THAT THE CASE IN OKLAHOMA?

ADAM KEMP JOINS US NOW WITH THE ANSWER.

ADAM?

REPORTER: RICH, A NEW REPORT SHOWS THAT FEWER TEENS ARE WORKING WHILE OUT OF SCHOOL THAN ANYTIME IN THE PAST DECADE.

WE TALKED WITH SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES AND SOME SCHOOL-AGED WORKERS TO FIND OUT WHAT'S MAKING THOSE SUMMER JOBS HARD TO COME BY.

>> IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE YOU JUST PRESS WHATEVER BUTTONS TO GET EVERYTHING TURNED ON TURNED ON.

REPORTER: AT ROLLERLAND IN CHOCTAW 17-YEAR-OLD LONDON CHRONISTER IS PREPARING FOR THE PARTY.

>> WE HAVE DODGEBALL AS YOU CAN SEE.

THESE ARE FOR CAT AND MOUSE AND NOODLE TAG WHICH CAN GET DANGEROUS BUT ARE REALLY FUN, THE SCOOTERS ARE WHAT WE GET THE MOST QUESTIONS ON WHICH WHEN WE DO LATE NIGHTS AND LOCKINS WE DO SCOOTER RACES SO THAT KIDS THAT ARE ON SKATES WILL PUSH THEM.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE FRISBEES ARE BUT WE'LL DO FRISBEE DODGEBALL AND LIMBO.

WE HAVE BASICALLY ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF WE'VE TURNED IT INTO A GAME.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

REPORTER: WHILE LONDON PREPARES THE GAMES, 16-YEAR-OLD LILLIAN STEELE GETS THE SNACKBAR READY.

THE TWO ARE PART OF A CREW OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEES KEEPING THE RINK ROLLING THEY REPRESENT A LESS COMMON SIGHT IN NATIONWIDE-STUDENT AGED EMPLOYEES WORKING SUMMER JOBS.

ANDREW CHALLENGER OF THE OUTPLACEMENT FIRM CHALLENGER GRAY AND CHRISTMAS SAID ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND RISING COSTS DUE TO TARIFFS COULD SEE LESS HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS HIRED THIS SUMMER.

>> THERE'S SOME LONG-TERM TRENDS WITHIN TEENS SUMMER JOBS BUT OVER DECADES FEWER AND FEWER TEENS ARE FINDING WORK OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER COMPARED TO THE SEVENTIES OR EIGHTIES WHEN TWO-THIRDS OF TEENAGERS WORKED TODAY, IT'S ABOUT A THIRD.

REPORTER: CHALLENGER SAYS THE JOB MARKET NATIONALLY ISN'T OFFERING AS MUCH AS IT ONCE DID AND THE JOBS THAT ONCE WENT TO TEENAGERS FOR SHORT TERM EMPLOYEMENT, ARE GOING ELSEWHERE NOW.

>> THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THE LABOR MARKET WILL CONTINUE TO COOL THROUGH THE SUMMER AND PUT REAL PRESSURE ON THE JOBS THAT USUALLY GO TO TEENAGERS.

SO WHY ARE SUMMER JOBS HARDER TO COME BY?

CHALLENGER SAYS IT'S NOT JUST INTEREST IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

MANY OF JOBS THAT ONCE WENT TO TEENS HAVE NOW BEEN AUTOMATED.

>> COMPANIES REALLY INVEST IN AUTOMATION.

MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE INNOVATION TAKEN ON CASHIERS CHECKOUT JOB AND AUTOMATED THEM ALMOST ENTIRELY.

FOR STEELE, SNAGGING A JOB AT ROLLERLAND WAS AN EASY DECISION.

SHE KNEW THE OWNER AND WAS EXCITED TO WORK AT A PLACE SHE GREW UP GOING TO.

>> I LIKE HAVING MY OWN MONEY AND BEING ABLE TO SPEND IT HOW I WANT AND NOT HAVING TO ASK MY PARENTS FOR MONEY AND IF I WANT TO GO DO SOMETHING I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR IT AND I'M ALSO WANTING TO SAVE UP FOR COLLEGE AND THINGS AFTER COLLEGE.

HER PART-TIME HOURS BALANCE RESPONSIBILITY AND FREEDOM.

BEING ABLE TO ENJOY YOUR SUMMER IS NICE BUT WITH A PART TIME JOB IT'S GREAT BECAUSE I STILL GET MY FREE TIME, BUT I ALSO GET TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK AND HAVE A JOB AND ALL THAT STUFF.

REPORTER: LYNN GRAY, THE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION SAYS MOST TEENS IN OKLAHOMA WHO DO WORK ARE STILL FLOCKING TO THE SAME SPOTS MANY OF US DID.

>> UNEMPLOYMENT IS LOW.

DOWN 3.2%.

WE'RE STILL ADDING JOBS.

REPORTER; FOR JAILEEN ORONA, SUMMER ISN'T ABOUT SLEEPING IN.

IT'S ABOUT HELPING MAKE A CHILD'S DAY.

>> I HAVE A YOUNGER SIBLING AND I SEE HOW HE REALLY ENJOYS PLAYING WITH THINGS LIKE THIS I LIKE MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY, SO IF I CAN HELP OUT, I WILL.

REPORTER: THE 16-YEAR-OLD WORKS AT KIDS GALAXY, AN INDOOR PLAYPLACE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SHE SAID SHE FEELS GOOD ABOUT GETTING OUT AND INTERACTING WITH CUSTOMERS >> FOR ME THE BENEFITS ARE GETTING OUTTA THE HOUSE DURING THE SUMMER, BEING PRODUCTIVE NOT ON THE PHONE ALL DAY.

GETTING OUT REPORTER: BUT EVEN AMID HIGH MOTIVATION, EMPLOYERS SAY THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED.

KAMERON KRENCICKI OWNS ROLLERLAND AND PREFERS HIRING TEENS BECAUSE HE LIKES THE ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM THEY BRING TO HIS BUSINESS KRENCICKI SAID THOSE LOOKING FOR A JOB SHOULD BE HONEST ABOUT HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN THEY WANT TO WORK BEFORE TURNING IN AN APPLICATION >> THERE'S A LARGE AMOUNT OF KIDS THAT AREN'T REALLY LOOKING FOR WORK SO THAT MAKES SENSE AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME IN THAT GIVE APPLICATIONS BUT AREN'T REALLY WILLING TO WORK AND HAVE A LOT OF HOURS THEY CAN'T MAKE IT.

REPORTER: CHALLENGER NOTES THAT MANY TEENS ARE FOCUSING ELSEWHERE, VOLUNTEERING, INTERNSHIPS, OR COLLEGE PREP.

BUT THAT SUMMERS JOBS ARE STILL SEEN BY MANY EMPLOYERS AS A GREAT RESUME BUILDER AND WHERE EMPLOYEES OFTEN LEARN CUSTOMER SERVICE, TIME MANAGEMENT AND HOW TO BE PART OF A TEAM THERE'S REAL VALUE IN TEENAGERS THERE'S REAL VALUE IN TEENAGERS HAVING A JOB OVER THE SUMMER AND WE TALK TO EMPLOYERS ALL THE TIME THAT ARE SAYING THEY HIRE COLLEGE LEVEL GRADUATES WHO HAVE NEVER REALLY HELD A JOB UNTIL THEY ARE 21-YEARS-OLD.

SO WHILE FEWER TEENS MAY BE REPORTER: SO WHILE FEWER TEENS MAY BE PUNCHING THE CLOCK, THOSE WHO DO ARE BUILDING SKILLS, SAVING MONEY AND HAVING SOME FUN.

FOR ORONA, SHE KNOWS JOBS ARE OUT THERE YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM.

>> YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR EFFORT INTO IT.

IF YOU TRY-IF YOU TRULY DO TRY-I THINK YOU CAN GET A JOB.

REPORTER:EXPERTS WE SPOKE WITH SAID THE BEST BET FOR FINDING A SUMMER JOB IS GETTING OFFLINE AND WALKING IN PERSON TO A LOCAL STORE OR RESTAURANT NEAR YOU.

FLEX THOSE NETWORKING SKILLS.

RICH: THE LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED A BILL THAT WILL CHANGE THE REQUIRMENTS FOR CITIZEN-LED STATE PETITIONS.

CRITICS SAYS IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE POWER AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE, BUT LAWMAKERS ARGUE THE OLD SYSTEM FAVORED THE BIG CITIES AT THE EXPENSE OF RURAL REPRESENTATION.

IN THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH DISCUSSION.

MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD PRESENTS BOTH POINT OF VIEW WITH HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW, RETURN TO >> IT EMPOWERS OKLAHOMANS ACROSS ALL 77 COUNTIES TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS AS THEY SHOULD.

YOU ABSOLUTELY COULD STILL GET THINGS ON THE BALLOT AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO, BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY AS ANDY'S TALKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF GETTING SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT, IT SHOULDN'T BE EASY TO CHANGE THE LAW OF THE LAND OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE LAW THAT ALL 4 MILLION OKLAHOMANS APPLY TO.

>> IF THIS WERE TO PASS, IF THE GOVERNOR IS TO SIGN IT, ALTHOUGH I HOPE HE VETOES IT, BUT IF HE SIGNS IT IN THE LAW, THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS FILE SOME LITIGATION TO TRY TO CHALLENGE THIS IN COURT.

AND THE SECOND THING WE NEED TO DO IS GET TOGETHER AND RUN AN INITIATIVE PETITION ABOUT INITIATIVE PETITIONS TO TAKE ALL OF THIS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

'CAUSE THEY'RE GONNA KEEP MEDDLING WITH VOTERS' ABILITY TO PUT STUFF ON THE BALLOT OURSELVES.

AND WE NEED TO FIX THAT AND, AND PUT THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION WITH FIRM GUARDRAILS AROUND IT SO THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T FIDDLE WITH IT ANYMORE.

RICH: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

ALTHOUGH THE $12.6 BILLION BUDGET IS NOT FINALIZIED AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT DOES INCLUDE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD A HOSPITAL, TRAIN VETERINARIANS, AND BUY A PRISON.

WITH DETAILS ON THOSE PROJECTS AND A BOOST IN EDUCATION SPENDING AS WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY NOAH MACK.

NOAH?

REPORTER: RICH.

EFFORTS TO GET THAT BUDGET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE TOOK PLACE THIS WEEK.

THE BUDGET AGREEMENT IS TOUTED BY ITS AUTHORS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

BUT DEMOCRATS AND EVEN SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS AREN'T AS ON-BOARD.

THE LEGISLATURE'S LONG ROAD TO A BUDGET AGREEMENT, FINALLY HITS A GREEN LIGHT.

>> WE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE, WHETHER THEY'RE FROM, YOU KNOW, TULSA OR MANGUM OR FELT TO BROKEN BOW AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, WORK WITH THE MEMBERS UP HERE WORK WITH INPUTS, LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA NEED.

REPORTER: THIS BUDGET CUTS TAXES, INCREASES PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING AND INCLUDES SOME BIG-TICKET, ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS.

THE BIGGEST PRICE-TAG BEING THE PURCHASE OF A LAWTON PRISON FOR $312 MILLION.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT RELATIONSHIP HAS DETERIORATED AND THAT COMPANY NO LONGER WANTS TO DO BUSINESS, WANTS TO HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.

THEY'RE NOT CANCELLING THEIR CONTRACT, THEY'VE STATED, HEY, THEY DON'T WANT TO RENEW IT.

REPORTER: THE GEO GROUP CURRENTLY OPERATES THAT PRISON WHICH HOUSES OVER TWO THOUSAND INMATES.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR TREY CALDWELL NOTING THAT THIS PURCHASE WILL ELIMINATE PRIVATE PRISONS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THAT'S THE LAST PRIVATE PRISON IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT JUST NATURALLY HAVE A AVERSION TO HAVING PRIVATELY OWNED PRISONS, AND THAT'S FAIR.

THAT'S A FAIR CRITIQUE OF THAT SYSTEM, BUT NOW OKLAHOMA WILL BE OUT OF THAT.

IT'LL BE FULLY OVER THE PURVIEW OF THE LEGISLATURE.

MORE COSTLY THAN UPGRADING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

I SAT DOWN WITH OSU PRESIDENT JIM HESS WHO SAYS THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO RENOVATE.

BUT WHEN ESTIMATED COSTS STARTED TO RISE THEY CHANGED COURSE.

>> THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT TO RENOVATE IT WAS JUST NOT GOING TO BE SUFFICIENT, AND IT WOULD BE A BETTER INVESTMENT FOR THE STATE FOR THEM TO INVEST MONEY INTO A NEW FACILITY.

REPORTER: THE INVESTMENT WILL HELP OSU COMPETE WITH OTHER VETERINARY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HESS SAYS ON TOP OF THAT IT WILL HELP QUELL THE LARGE-ANIMAL VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE IN THE STATE.

>> WHILE THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE BENEFITS GREATLY FROM AN ANIMAL TEACHING HOSPITAL THE STATE BENEFITS FROM IT EVEN MORE BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO PRACTICE LARGE ANIMAL, FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARY MEDICINE IS TO RECRUIT PEOPLE FROM RURAL OKLAHOMA, TRAIN THEM AND HAVE THEM GO BACK TO RURAL OKLAHOMA AND PRACTICE RURAL VETERINARY MEDICINE.

REPORTER: HESS EXPECTS THIS NEW FACILITY TO BE THE PREMIERE VET TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

APPRECIATIVE OF STATE'S CONTRIBUTION.

>>THEY'RE ANSWERING THE CALL TO THIS PROBLEM WILL BE ONE OF THE WALTERS CHASTIZED THAT PLAN.

>> WE HAVE TEXAS WHO HAS NO INCOME TAX, WE HAVE FLORIDA WHO HAS NO INCOME TAX.

AND WE'RE EXPECTING THE TAXPAYERS OF OKLAHOMA TO CONTINUE PAYING INCOME TAXES WHEN THEIR TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN THIS ECONOMY.

REPORTER: NONETHELESS, LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING THAT BUDGET THE LEGISLATURE, NOW WALKING INTO THE LAST WEEK OF THE SESSION.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL SEE A BUMP IN FUNDING.

AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE DETAILS OF THE WHOLE BUDGET THERE'S BUDGET TRANSPARENCY PORTAL ON THE HOUSE WEBSITE.

RICH.

RICH: THERE ARE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 18 AND 19,000 ABANDONED WELLS SPREAD ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THEY'RE DANGEROUS AND SOMETIMES AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AS WELL.

NOW, LAWMAKERS ARE GIVING COMPANIES AN INCENTIVE TO CLEAN THEM UP AND PUT THEM BACK INTO SERVICE.

JASON DOYLE EXPLAINS.

>> THREE WELLS ARE RUNNING A MILE AND A HALF THAT WAY.

THREE WELLS ARE RUNNING A MILE AND A HALF THAT WAY.

REPORTER: CANVAS ENERGY SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT JUSTIN BYRNE GIVES THE LAY OF THE LAND AT AN ACTIVE WELL SITE FOR THE COMPANY JUST OUTSIDE OF EL RENO.

>> SO WE OPERATE A LITTLE OVER A THOUSAND WELLS AND ARE CURRENTLY PRODUCING A LITTLE OVER 25,000 BOE A DAY ACROSS SEVERAL COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA.

REPORTER: THERE ARE NO ORPHANED WELLS ON THIS SITE AND SEVERAL OTHERS OPERATED BY CANVAS ENERGY.

>> WE'RE THE ONES THAT ARE RESPONSIVE RESPONSIBLY OPERATING OUR WELLS AND PLUGGING 'EM OUT WHEN THEY NEED TO BE PLUGGED OUT.

BUT AS YOU'VE HEARD, THERE'S THOUSANDS OF ORPHAN WELLS THAT HAVE BEEN KIND OF LEFT FOR THE STATE TO DEAL WITH OVER THE COURSE OF YEARS BY OTHER OPERATORS.

REPORTER: NOW THERE'S AN INCENTIVE ON THE BOOKS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCERS TO TAKE ORPHANED WELLS OFF THE HANDS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WITH HOUSE BILL 1372.

IT GIVES THOSE FOLKS SOME ECONOMIC INCENTIVE TO COME OUT AND REACTIVATE THOSE WELLS.

WHAT IT DOES AT THE SAME TIME THOUGH, IS IT BRINGS THEIR DOLLARS TO BEAR ON THE PLUGGING RESPONSIBILITY.

REPORERT: REPRESENTATIVE BRAD BOLES IS THE AUTHOR OF HOUSE BILL 1372, SETTING UP A TAX BREAK IF OPERATORS CAN BRING AN ORPHANED WELL BACK TO LIFE.

AND PRODUCING OIL AND GAS AGAIN >>VWHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING IS TRYING TO LOWER THAT NUMBER IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND ONE WAY IS HOUSE BILL 1372 ALLOWS PRIVATE INDUSTRY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THE STATE'S ORPHAN WELL LIST.

REPORTER: BEFORE A COMPANY CAN TAKE A WELL ON THE LIST.THE OPERATOR MUST PROVIDE A 25,000 DOLLAR SURETY BOND TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL THEY GET TO KEEP MORE OF THE REVENUE FROM THAT REACTIVATED WELL.

>> IF THEY WERE TO TAKE THAT WELL OFF OF OUR STATE LIST, THEN THEY GET A 50% GROSS PRODUCTION TAX BREAK FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS.

REPORTER: BEFORE THIS LAW WAS PASSED, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WAS THE ONE THAT WAS ON THE HOOK TO MAKE SURE THESE ORPHANED WELLS GOT TAKEN CARE OF.

WITH THIS TAX INCENTIVE THE HOPE IS OKLAHOMA'S OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY WILL COME IN AND LEND A HAND.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT A COMPANY LIKE CANVAS ENERGY IS CONSIDERING.

>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT INTERNALLY, OF COURSE, IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY AND YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, ARE THE, THE ECONOMICS GOING TO JUSTIFY IT.

>> I'VE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OPERATORS RECENTLY THAT HAVE FOUND ORPHAN WELLS NEAR THEIR EXISTING OPERATIONS AND ARE INQUIRING ABOUT TAKING THEM OVER TO, TO WORK THEM INTO THEIR SYSTEM.

REPORTER: THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE STATE'S ORPHAN WELL LIST AND MIKE MCGINNIS SAYS HIS AGENCY IDENTIFIES ABANDONED WELLS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS.

>> TO FIND THESE AND TO IDENTIFY 'EM AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE AREN'T ANY PROBLEMS, OR IF THERE ARE, GET THEM TAKEN CARE OF, THAT'S THE MAIN REASON THAT WE'RE MAINTAINING THIS.

REPORTER: HE SAYS OKLAHOMA HAS A LOT OF ORPHANED WELLS.

>> THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY STARTED IN THE TEENS IN OKLAHOMA AND A LOT OF WELLS IN THOSE DAYS WERE JUST DRILLED.

AND IF THEY HIT FINE, IF NOT, THEY PULLED WHAT STEEL WAS IN THE WELL AND TOOK IT TO THE NEXT ONE.

REPORTER: BEFORE THE NEWLY PASSED TAX INCENTIVE.THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAD TO FIND WAYS TO PLUG THE WELLS.

>> THE STATE HAS A STATE FUND PLUGGING FUND.

AND SO THE WELLS THAT ARE THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPACTFUL ARE ONES THAT WE ADDRESS FIRST.

REPORTER: A FEDERAL PROGRAM PREVIOUSLY HELPED THE CORPORATION COMMISSION PLUG WELLS, TOO.

>> WE ALSO HAD A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT WE PARTICIPATED IN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN WHICH WE WERE ABLE TO PLUG ABOUT 1200 WELLS.

REPORTER: MCGINNIS ADDS OCCASSIONALLY, AN OIL AND GAS COMPANY WILL COME ACROSS AN ORPHANED WELL AS THEY ARE DEVELOPING NEW WELLS.

>> WE HAVE HAD OPERATORS IDENTIFY WHEN THEY'RE PLANNING THEIR WELLS, ORPHAN WELLS AND THEY'VE ACTUALLY COME IN AND PLUGGED THEM SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T INTERFERE OR WOULDN'T BECOME INVOLVED WITH WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

REPORTER: BOLES SAYS TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP BRING SOME OF THE OLD WELLS BACK INTO PRODUCTION.

>> WHAT WE FOUND IS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY WELLS THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCTIVE 20, 30, 40 YEARS AGO, WHAT NOW WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY CAN ACTUALLY GO FROM NON-PRODUCING TO PRODUCING WITH THE BETTER TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE.

>> IN SOME OF THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE CAN GO IN AND RESTIMULATE THEM WITH SOME OF THE NEW FRACKING TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

THERE'S ALSO SECONDARY AND TERTIARY RECOVERY THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO PURSUE, WHETHER IT BE A WATER FLOOD OR A CO2 FLOOD THROUGH SOME OF THESE OLD ORPHAN WELLS.

REPORTER: BYRNE SAYS FOR COMPANIES TO SUCCESSFULLY BRING BACK A WELL IT WILL DEPEND ON THE ECONOMICS.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MARGINAL WELLS, THERE MIGHT BE $50,000 IN VALUE THAT YOU SEE.

AND OF COURSE, FOR THESE PURPOSES, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO POST A $25,000 BOND.

SO YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GONNA INVEST 1500, 2500, YOU KNOW, $3,000, THAT'S MAYBE WHAT IT TAKES.

EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT THOUGH.

REPORTER: REPRESENTATIVE BOLES BELIEVES HOUSE BILL 1372 IS A WIN-WIN FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

EITHER PLUGGING AN ORPHANED WELL GETS PAID FOR BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY OR THEY PAY TAXES ON ITS NEW PRODUCTION.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE WELLS ARE PRODUCING ZERO REVENUE FOR OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW.

SO IF WE CAN GET 50% OF SOMETHING THAT'S BETTER THAN A 100% OF ZERO RIGHT?

REPORTER: HE ADDS THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE STATE COMING UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO FORGE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO TAKE ON ISSUES THE STATE IS FACING LIKE A LARGE LIST OF ORPHANED WELLS.

>> I THINK ANYTIME WE CAN GIVE THAT INDUSTRY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE MORE JOBS, TO PRODUCE MORE TAX REVENUE, IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR NOT JUST INDUSTRY BUT FOR OKLAHOMANS AND FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

REPORTER: JASON DOYLE THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

RICH: THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET HAS NOT BEEN PASSED YET, BUT LAWMAKERS ARE MAKING PROGRESS WITH A REGULAR SESSION, EXPECTED TO END A WEEK FROM NOW.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED BY A QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY FROM OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND SHAWN, AFTER CONSIDERABLE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, THE GOVERNOR'S INCOME TAX CUT DID PASS OUT OF THAT CHAMBER THIS WEEK?

>> THAT'S RIGHT NOW, THE INCOME TAX CUT IS MADE UP OF THREE COMPONENTS, AN ELIMINATION OF THE BOTTOM THREE BRACKETS OF THE TACT CODE QUARTER PERCENT CUT.

AND WHAT GOVERNOR STITT HAS CALLED A PATH TO ZERO A TRIGGER BASED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT WOULD REDUCE THE INCOME TAX A QUARTER POINT AT A TIME OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT WOULD TAKE NEARLY 20 YEARS TO ELIMINATE THE TAX.

RICH: NOW SHAWN, WE MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE US SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST THE CREATION OF THE ST. IDO CATHOLIC VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL ON THURSDAY.

IT WAS A 4-4 TIE WITH ONE JUDGE ABSTAINING.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, JUSTICE AMY CONEY BARRETT ABSTAIN FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE, IN THE CASE BECAUSE OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY, A UNIT THERE WAS INVOLVED IN THE CASE AND THEREFORE SHE THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO RECUSE HERSELF FROM, FROM THE CASE'S CONSIDERATION.

THE DECISION, AS YOU MENTIONED, WAS A 4-4 TIE.

SO THE ANTICIPATION THAT THIS WOULD SET A NATIONAL PRECEDENT WAS, WAS BROKEN BECAUSE IT REFERS BACK TO WHAT THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT SAID IN JUNE OF 2024.

RICH: OK, SHAWN, BACK TO THE POLITICS OF THE CAPITOL.

A FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE HAS ONCE AGAIN HALTED AN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL THAT PASSED IN 2024 AND ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE JUDGE'S RULING.

NOW, KEEP IN MIND THIS LAW WAS ORIGINALLY ENJOINED BACK IN 2024, BUT AT THE CHANGE OF THE ADMINISTRATION FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DROPPED ITS OPPOSITION TO THAT LAW AND AS A RESULT IT LOOKED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO TAKE EFFECT.

A GROUP OF CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, HOWEVER, RE-CHALLENGED THE LAW, IF YOU WILL, AND AS A RESULT, A US DISTRICT JUDGE HAS ENJOINED IT FROM TAKING EFFECT.

HE WILL REVIEW THAT DECISION IN A JUNE 3 HEARING.

RICH: ALSO, STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS IS STILL PRESSING TO GET A RULE APPROVED THAT WOULD REQUIRE PARENTS TO REPORT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND RIGHT NOW >> WELL, ULTIMATELY, WALTERS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL REPRESENTATIVE MOLLY JENNINGS, A REPUBLICAN FROM COYLE, ATTEMPTED TWICE DURING THE WEEK TO GET THAT RULE ADDED BACK INTO THE LIST OF THOSE THAT WOULD BE APPROVED.

SHE TRIED FIRST ON MONDAY IN THE HOUSE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES COMMITTEE AND WAS REVOKED IN A THREE TO 10 VOTE.

SHE TRIED AGAIN WEDNESDAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THAT AMENDMENT WAS REJECTED 75 TO 12.

AS A RESULT, THE RESOLUTION SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 22 WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE AND IT NOW GOES TO GOVERNOR STITT FOR HIS CONSIDERATION.

RICH: THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE NEEDS TO MAKE IT TO THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR SEEMS TO KEEP ON SHIFTING.

SO WHAT'S THE LATEST FIGURES ON THAT?

>> YES, THE LATEST NUMBER COMES FROM STATE AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR CINDY BYRD.

AND IN THE FIRST PHASE OF HER SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE AUDIT IN INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, SHE ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY $28.7 MILLION WAS NEEDED FOR THE AGENCY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

NOW THAT NUMBER IS LOWER THAN THE AMOUNT CITED BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT WHO WAS APPOINTED TO LOOK AT THE AGENCY'S FINANCES AND ALSO LESS THAN WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS PLANNING TO APPROPRIATE AS SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.

NOW WHEN I SAW THAT NUMBER, I WAS REMINDED OF SOMETHING SPEAKER KYLE HILBERT SAID SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AFTER A MEETING WITH AGENCY OFFICIALS AND THAT WAS SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, NO ONE COULD AGREE TO A NUMBER.

IT SEEMS THAT'S WHY LEGISLATORS PLAN TO WORK THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE AGENCY'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND THEN WORK ON A PLAN TO ADDRESS THEM IN THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

RICH: ALRIGHT, SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.

Z.. YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

RETURN TO INDEX OF STORIES.

RICH: THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL CITIZEN-LED STATE QUESTION APPEARED ON A BALLOT IN 1910.

STATE PETITIONS HAVE BEEN A PART OF OKLAHOMA FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT NOW, THE PROCESS OF GETTING A QUESTION ONTO A BALLOT FOR VOTER APPROVAL IS CHANGING.

MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD EXPLAINS WHY.

AND WHY SOME LAWMAKERS THINK IT'S LONG OVERDUE, AND OTHERS THINK THINGS SHOULD STAY JUST THE WAY THEY ARE.

CASSIDY?

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

JOINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION IS SPEAKER KYLE HILBERT FROM BRISTOW AND ANDY MOORE THE CEO OF LET'S FIX THIS.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE ON INDEPTH.

SENATE BILL WILL CHANGE HOW SIGNATURES ARE COLLECTED ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

WHAT ISSUE IS THIS BILL TRYING TO SOLVE?

>> IT WAS THRILLED THIS PAST WEEK WHEN THE STATE SENATE PASSED THIS MEASURE AFTER OUR HOUSE AMENDMENTS THAT WE MADE TO IT.

WHEN BILL ORIGINALLY PASSED THE FIRST TIME COMING OVER THE HOUSE, THERE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT PERCENTAGES BEING DIFFERENT.

IT PROTECT THE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR BALLOT COLLECTION PROCESS AND INITIATIVE PETITIONS.

WHICH IS PART OF OUR STATE CONSTITUTION BUT IT'S ESSENTIAL HAVING THIS PART OF OUR STATE CONSTITUTION THAT WE HAVE PROPER GUARDRAILS IN PLACE HOW THIS OPERATES AND STATE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THOSE PROPER PROCEDURES IN PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO COLLECTING THE SIGNATURES.

THERE'S SOME PIECES TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LANGUAGE IS CLEAR WHERE PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND IT IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE.

THERE'S LANGUAGE IN THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF THE MEASURES AS WELL AS DISCLOSURES.

REPORTER: SUPPORTERS SAYS FAIR REPRESENTATION ACROSS ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE.

CRITICS ARGUE IT CAN MAKE IT MUCH HARDER.

>> THE HOUSE DID AMEND IT TO CHANGE THOSE PERCENTAGES.

THEY PUT A CAP ON THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES THAT A CAMPAIGN CAN COLLECT ACROSS THE STATE.

94% OF VOTERS WILL NOT ABLE TO SIGN A PETITION EVEN IF THEY SUPPORT IT.

FOR OKLAHOMA COUNTY, WE GOT ABOUT 450,000 VOTERS.

THAT MEANS ONLY 25 THOUSANDS CAN SIGN IT IF THEY WANTED TO.

IF THE NUMBERS IS STARK IF YOU MOVE INTO RURAL AREAS PLACES LIKE HARMAN COUNTY, THEY ARE LESS POPULATED.

IF YOU LIVE IN A RURAL AREA.

>> THERE WAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

THAT DOES HAVE A COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT FROM STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> ANDY, WARNING ABOUT COSTS OR POTENTIAL TAXES CAN DISCOURAGE SUPPORT.

>> WE'VE SEEN THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO.

I SPENT TIME WITH COLLEAGUES FROM ARKANSAS, MISSOURI AND FLORIDA WHO ARE DEALING WITH SIMILAR BILL IT IS THEIR STATES.

WE WERE SHARING NOTES ABOUT HOW THIS REALLY IS IRONIC THAT THE SAME KIND OF LANGUAGE IS BEING PUSHED IN MULTIPLE STATES AT THE SAME TIME.

VOTERS SEE THIS FOR WHAT IT IS.

IT'S RESTRICTING OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO USE THE PETITION.

OKLAHOMA HAS THE MOST DIFFICULT INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE REQUIRE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SIGNATURES TO COLLECT THOSE.

SENATE BILL ADDS TO THAT BY RESTRICTING NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALLOWED TO SIGN THE PETITION, BY ADDING BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES.

RIGHT NOW, PETITIONERS HAVE 90 DAYS TO COLLECT SIGNATURES.

THERE'S TWICE THAT IS MUCH TIME TO CHALLENGE THAT PETITION.

THIS IDEA THAT THE PROCESS IS CORRUPT OR NOT FUNCTIONING IT'S MISGUIDED.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT OTHER STATES DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR.

IS THERE A REASON THAT WE'RE SEEING THIS LEGISLATION?

>> IT IS NOT TRUE THAT WE HAVE THE MOST RESTRICTEDDIVE LAWS.

24 STATES DONE HAVE A INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS.

IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO ARGUE THAT WE'RE THE MOST RESTRICTIVE WHEN HALF THE COUNTRY DOESN'T HAVE IT.

THE SECOND THING I WOULD SAY IS LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS MAKING THE PROCESS MAKE MORE SENSE TO VOTERS.

IT'S ABOUT EMPOWERING VOTERS.

THE WORD RESTRICTION KEEP BEING USED AGAINST THIS BILL.

THIS DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE METRO.

THE METROS ARE STILL INTEGRAL TO THE PROCESS.

YOU'RE NOT GOING OPUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT THAT.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT INCLUDING RURAL OKLAHOMA.

THIS EMPOWERS THE ENTIRE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S SOMETHING IMPORTANT.

AS FOR OTHER STATES, I DIDN'T TAKE TO ANYBODY IN OTHER STATES.

I KNOW THE SPEAKER OF THE MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS.

WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> ANDY, SENATE BILL 1027 HAS BEEN LAW.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE MEDICAID EXPANSION AND MARIJUANA BILL?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHICH STATES HAVE INITIATIVE PETITION.

IT STARTS MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY MOVING WEST.

WE REALIZED THAT WE AS THE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO BE UNDER THE THUMB OF ELITES OR POLITICIANS.

WE NEEDED A WAY FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A SAY IN THE GOVERNMENT WHEN STATE LEGISLATURE IS UNABLE TO MAKE THINGS PASSED.

THOSE THINGS YOU MENTIONED MEDICAL MARIJUANA, MEDICAID EXPANSION AND HOPEFULLY MINIMUM WAGE.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DEBATED AND PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OKLAHOMANS.

I TRUST THE PROCESS WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN USEABLE TO LOOK PAST.

REPORTER: YOU'RE SAYING THIS BILL IS ABOUT PROTECTING THE PETITION PROCESS.

CRITICS ARE SAYING IT'S ABOUT RESTRICTING THE PROCESS >> IT REQUIRES ALL PEOPLE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS YOU CAN GET THINGS ON THE BALLOT.

I WOULD SAY AS ANDY TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES, IT SHOULDN'T BE EASY TO CHANGE THE LAW THE LAND OF STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU'RE TAKING CHANGE THE LAW.

WHEN IT GOES ON THE BALLOT IT NEEDS TO BE INTEGRITY AND VOTERS HAVE CONFIDENCE.

REPORTER: THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

SOME SAY THAT BILL SUPPRESSES VOTERS OR ANTI-DEMOCRATIC.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> NO, I THINK IT'S ACCURATE.

I THINK BY RESTRICTING THEM VOTERS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO SIGN A PETITION, THAT'S A FORM OF GERRYMANDERING.

IN THE WORDS OF RONALD REAGAN IT'S UNDEMOCRATIC AND UNAMERICAN.

IF THIS PASS AND GOVERNOR SIGN IT FEHR THING WE NEED TO DO IS FALL LITIGATION TO TRY TO CHALLENGE THIS IN COURT.

THE SECOND THING IS GET TOGETHER TO RUN AN INITIATIVE PETITION ABOUT THE INITIATIVE PETITION TO TAKE THIS OUT OF THE HANDS OF LEGISLATURE.

REPORTER: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL DO REQUEST >> THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN IT.

HE'S BEEN CLEAR ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY.

HE WILL SIGN THIS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE'S MULTIPLE PROCESS.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DIRECT DEMOCRAT.

THERE'S REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHERE EVERY TWO YEARS WE HAVE AN ELECTION.

PEEP REELECTED ME FIVE TIMES.

WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING THE LEGISLATION.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

REPORTER: I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

RICH: EAGLE MATERIALS ANNOUNCING A MAJOR EXPANSION- AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR WORKERS IN DUKE, OKLAHOMA.

THAT STORY TOPS OUR WEEKLY STATE-WIDE, OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

THE AMERICAN GYPSUM PLANT IN DUKE, OKLAHOMA, WILL BE GOING THROUGH A MAJOR $300 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION SOON.

THAT'S THE WORD FROM THE PLANT'S PARENT COMPANY, EAGLE MATERIALS.

THE PLANT'S EXPANSION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE MANUFACTURING CAPACITY BY 25% AND WILL REDUCE OPERATING COSTS BY 20%.

THE EXPANSION IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2027.

ELMORE CITY-BASED OLD GLORY BANK HAS CROSSED A MAJOR THRESHHOLD BY SURPASSING $200 MILLION DOLLARS IN CUSTOMER DEPOSITS IN JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN OPERATION.

OLD GLORY BANK WAS LAUCHNED IN APRIL 2023 WITH ABOUT 10 MILLION IN DEPOSITS.

THE BANK WAS CO-FOUNDED BY COUNTRY MUSIC STAR JOHN RICH, WITH FORMER SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DR. BEN CARSON, CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST LARRY ELDER, AND FORMER GOVERNOR MARY FALLIN.

STILLWATER-BASED RARE EARTH MAGNET MANUFACTURER USA RARE EARTH REPORTS A FIRST QUARTER PROFIT OF NEARLY $52 MILLION DOLLARS.

COMPARE THAT TO A FIRST QUARTER LOSS OF $4.7 MILLION THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE COMPANY HAS RAMPED UP PRODUCING THE TYPE OF MAGNETS USED IN EVERYTHING FROM CELL PHONES TO FIGHTER JETS.

TULSA-BASED AAON HAS NAMED DR. MATT TOBOLSKI AS ITS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO.

HE BEGAN THE JOB ON MAY 13.

HE SUCCEEDS GARY FIELDS WHO WILL REMAIN ON THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE BOARD ALSO VOTED TO EXPAND ITSELF FROM EIGHT MEMBERS TO NINE AND ADDED TOBOLSKI AS THE DIRECTOR TO FILL THE NEWLY CREATED SPOT.

AAON IS A MANUFACTURER OF COMMERCIAL GRADE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING PRODUCTS.

INVESTORS ALSO GOT A BIT OF GOOD NEWS FROM THE AAON BOARD IT APPROVED A 10 CENTS A SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND TO BE PAID ON JUNE 27.

AND FINALLY, INVESTORS OF OGE ENERGY CORPORATION STOCK ARE ABOUT TO GET A PAYOUT THANKS TO A RECENTLY APPROVED QUARTERLY DIVIDEND BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE STOCK WILL NEED TO BE IN INVESTORS' PORTFOLIOS BY JULY 7 TO BE PAID A LITTLE MORE THAN 42 CENTS A SHARE ON JULY 25.

OGE ENERGY IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF THE UTILITY, OKLAHOMA GAS AND ELECTRIC, OR O.G.-&-E THIS IS, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING IS A BIG AND ILLEGAL BUSINESS.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO DENVER, WHERE CONFISCATED ITEMS ARE STORED IN A HUGE WAREHOUSE.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR PBS PARTNERS AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBS.

>> WE HAVE ROUGHLY 1.2 MILLION ITEMS.

TIGERS, LIONS, POLAR BEARS, THE PIECES THAT WE HOUSE HERE COMES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EVERYWHERE THAT WE HAVE SPECIAL AGENTS AND WILDLIFE INSPECTORS.

THIS CASE INVOLVED SMUGGLED DESIGNER HANDBAGS FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

NOT EVERYTHING IN THE FACILITY WAS TRAFFICKED.

OTHER ITEMS IN OUR COLLECTION BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PROPERLY PERMITTED TRYING TO BE IMPORTED IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS A PURSE HANDBAG MADE OUT OF STINGRAY.

OVER TIME, YOU GET TO IT.

ITEMS DON'T REALLY IMPACT YOU AS MUCH ANYMORE.

WE'LL GET A LOT OF IVORY FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MAY HAVE INHERITED THAT.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

THEY REACH OUT AND HAND IT OVER TO US.

I THINK, WE SEE MORE FASHION ITEMS.

HANDBAGS ARE VERY COMMON.

I THINK FOR SOME IT'S A STATUS SYMBOL.

MANY OF THESE ITEMS CAN BE VERY VALUABLE.

THIS ENTIRE IDENTICAL IS -- AISE IS COMPRISED THE CROCODILE.

WE SEE THE CROCODILE BOOTS.

WE HAVE SOME PURSES.

THIS IS A PRETTY UNIQUE PURSE THAT WE'RE ALSO SEEING IN THE WILDLIFE TRADE AND THIS PARTICULAR PURSE IS ACTUALLY MADE FROM AN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF CROCODILE, THE AFRICAN CROCODILE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PATTERN, THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE BACK STRAP PATTERN THAT RUNS DOWN THE SPINE OF THE ANIMAL.

THEY ONLY HAVE ONE SPINE.

IF YOU START COUNTING THE BACK STRAP ON THE COAT, YOU HAVE ONE THERE.

ONE ON THIS SIDE.

ON ONE EACH SLEEVE FIVE ANIMALS WENT INTO MAKING ONE COAT.

WE ARE GIVING THE ITEMS A SECOND LIFE.

WE TELL THE STORY OF THESE SPECIES.

TELL WHAT'S HAPPENING TO WILDLIFE IN THE TRADE AND HOPING THAT BY EDUCATING PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME FOR TOURS THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE FUTURE.

THEY GO ON THE SHELF.

RICH: BEFORE WE GO- WE WANTED TO SHARE A HAPPY STORY ABOUT SOME EXOTIC ANIMALS THAT ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO.

FIVE MALE LION CUBS CELEBRATING THEIR 1ST BIRTHDAY TOGETHER ON TUESDAY.

THAT'S HUGO, HENRI, LOU, PASCAL AND HERMAN, THE SECOND LITTER BORN TO PARENTS, DUNIA AND HUBERT.

ALL 5 ARE HEALTHY AND DESERVING OF SOME SPECIAL BIRTHDAY TOYS AND TREATS, LIKE CANTALOPES.

<< THEY REALLY INTERACT A LOT WITH EACH OTHER, SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS SAY IS THAT THE FAVORITE TOY OF OUR LION CUBS IS EACH OTHER.

THEY'RE CONSTANTLY POUNCING ON EACH OTHER, PLAYING, BITING EACH OTHER, WHICH IS ALL NORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THINGS THAT THEY WOULD BE DOING TO LEARN HOW TO BE AN ADULT LION.

SO THOSE ARE ALL PLAY ACTIVITIES THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE GONNA BE DOING TO LEARN WHAT THEY NEED TO LEARN AS THEY GROW UP.

AND SO EVENTUALLY THESE FIVE BOYS WILL BECOME A CHALLENGE TO HUBERT.

AND SO THERE WILL BE A POINT IN TIME WHERE THE FAMILY DECIDES, YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S TIME TO LEAVE THE PRIDE AND GO FIND YOUR OWN PRIDE.

AND SO WE'LL BE PREPARED FOR THAT, GENERALLY THAT'S AT ABOUT TWO YEARS OF AGE SO WE STILL HAVE SOME TIME.

RICH: AFRICAN LIONS ARE CONSIDERED A VULNERABLE SPECIES, WITH A TOTAL WILD POPULATION OF LESS THAN 40,000 CURRENTLY ALIVE IN AFRICA.

ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

WE'LL PREVIEW THE 5TH ANNUAL SUNNY DAZE MURAL FESTIVAL.

IT'S SET FOR A WEEK FROM SATURDAY.

DOZENS OF FEMALE ARTISTS, TRANSFORMING AN OKLAHOMA CITY BLOCK WITH THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS.

FRIDAY AT 7:00.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH TIME LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHY OF OKLAHOMA CITY, PUT TOGETHER BY THE O.E.T.A PRODUCTION TEAM.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X BY SEARCHING OETA.

O.N.R.

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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